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CNN Live Sunday

Teaching Fellows in New York Get a Taste of Teaching

Aired May 27, 2001 - 16:18   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DONNA KELLEY, CNN ANCHOR: Low pay, hard work and many dropped lucrative jobs to take some teaching positions. But after a year in New York's toughest schools, are they ready for more?

CNN's Deborah Feyerick has our report.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DEBORAH CARROLL, NEW YORK CITY TEACHER: I was telling them that first day of school, I was in the Army. In other words, if you think that you little people, nine and 10-year-olds, are going to get next to me, you are mistaken.

This is active listening. The lips are closed, the fingers are open.

DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): With an Army background and 20 years nursing experience...

CARROLL: I'm hearing too much chatter.

FEYERICK: Deborah Carroll believed teaching fourth-graders at PS 214 in the Bronx would be a breeze. Instead...

CARROLL: Just as you get one little fire out, another starts.

FEYERICK: Carroll is a teaching fellow, one of 300 men and women, many of whom gave up high-paying jobs to teach in some of New York City's failing schools, where the kids are reading and testing way below average.

(on camera): You've now finished up your first year. Was it harder or easier than you expected?

ALISSA COHEN, TEACHING FELLOW: Harder.

CARROLL: Harder.

FEYERICK (voice-over): So hard, in fact...

COHEN: I should not hear voices in the hallway.

FEYERICK: ... that since the program began in September, one in six teaching fellows has quit. Alissa Cohen, who signed on to get a free master's degree, says many nights she cried herself to sleep.

COHEN: There were days I walked out and didn't know if I was going to come back, honestly.

FEYERICK: Among the problems, say the new teachers, kids out of control, not enough personal training, and unexpected bureaucracy.

CARROLL: I thought they wanted me to come in and be creative and use past experiences to teach, and I did not expect that I would come in and have so many things scripted.

FEYERICK: What's left unscripted.

CARROLL: We waste time every time that I have to stop and put my fingers up.

In the beginning, I would say you taught 10 percent and 90 percent was discipline.

FEYERICK: Carol won over the kids with scholar dollars, paper rewards for things like finishing homework or sitting still. Alissa Cohen hands out stickers. And math enrichment teacher Damon Williams.

DAMON WILLIAMS, TEACHING FELLOW: You guys aren't focused. You guys are not focused. I need you with us.

FEYERICK: He just relates in his own way and like the other new teachers, he's learned that sometimes the smallest victories can make the biggest difference.

WILLIAMS: If you are not a superhero trying to change the world, you will you be able to actually fit in and make small changes.

FEYERICK (on camera): And that's a start.

WILLIAMS: Oh, yes.

CARROLL: Absolutely.

FEYERICK (voice-over): All three plan to return, veterans now, joining 1,000 new fellows in September.

Deborah Feyerick, CNN, in New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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